South African born artist Nicholas Shabangu grew up in Secunda with 3 sisters and 2 brothers. Art was not taken as a serious subject in his high school so Nicholas was self taught. He has been painting since 1993 and started selling his work commercially in 2000.
His choice of medium is oil on canvas and paints realism from daily life and using unique brush strokes. He began with portraits and in 2003 Riaan Chalmer spotted his talented and decided to support Nicholas and help him develop his skill. His worked eventually evolved to include ethnic subjects, clolourful tribes, Nguni cows and township scenes.
Riaan assisted Nicholas to become a full time painter by buying him materials Nicholas could not afford working as a part time artist. This enabled Nicholas to start painting as a full time career. Riaan set him up in Rosebank rooftop market. After which Nicholas continued his project alone. He occasionally exhibits his works at the Zoo Lake ‘Artists Under the Sun’ exhibitions. Currently displays his works several galleries Johannesburg